4 Common Energy Myths That May Be Costing You at Home

Categories: Energy Efficiency, Energy Solutions

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As a greater Cincinnati resident you may be looking for ways to cut energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Unfortunately, a number of home energy myths exist, which may cost you more in the long run; here are four common ones to watch out for.

Home Energy Myths, Debunked

Myth: Purchasing energy efficient HVAC equipment will instantly reduce your energy bill. Replacing older, inefficient equipment with new, more efficient options will reflect positively on your energy bills, but significant savings will only be realized if the system been sized and installed correctly. A heating and cooling system that’s too big can cause energy costs to soar, while an undersized system will struggle to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Make sure your contractor performs a Manual J load calculation prior to purchase and installation.

Myth: Radically adjusting the thermostat will heat or cool your home faster. Conditioned air is produced and delivered at the same rate, regardless of how low or high the dial is set. Use a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home. Set the unit several degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter for times you’re absent or sleeping, and then to your ideal set point one hour before you’re due to wake or arrive home.

Myth: It takes more energy to turn something off than to leave it on. The amount of energy used to run electronics, lighting or appliances is much greater than the small power surge that occurs when the equipment is turned on.

Myth: The first cost of houses is higher if the appliances are energy efficient. Though there are circumstances where efficient equipment may initially cost more, there’s often little or no first cost. For example, in the case of HVAC equipment, smaller high-efficiency systems can cost less than larger inefficient ones, plus they keep your home more comfortable.

For more information on how home energy myths can affect your savings, call the experts at Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. For over a century, we’ve been providing quality service to homeowners in the greater Cincinnati area.